176 Chapter 176 – The Dragon’s Challenge, The Knight’s Unbreakable Resolve
The morning air felt different as I walked through Veridia City’s eastern district. I sensed someone following me before I heard them–a presence radiating aggression and wounded pride. I didn’t break stride, merely adjusting my awareness as footsteps quickened behind me.
“Knight!”
I turned slowly to face a tall, imposing man with chiseled features that marked him unmistakably as a Thornton. Not Conrad, who I’d humiliated at the cemetery, but someone with an even more formidable aura. Tristan Thornton, the eldest brother and heir to the Thornton family–an Inner Strength Greatmaster whose reputation preceded him.
“You’ve been busy making enemies,” Tristan said, his voice deceptively calm. “First Miles, then Conrad. Now you face me.”
I remained silent, measuring him. Unlike his brothers, Tristan carried himself with the confidence of someone who’d earned his power through more than just his family
name.
“Nothing to say?” He circled me slowly. “Conrad claims you have some trick–some technique that hardened your body against his attack. Let’s see if it works against someone who hasn’t been coasting on the family reputation.”
Without warning, Tristan struck, his fist a blur as it connected with my chest. The impact was substantially stronger than Conrad’s had been, but I barely swayed. Surprise flickered across Tristan’s face.
“Interesting,” he murmured, flexing his fingers. “So the rumors are true.”
I rolled my shoulders, curious myself about the limits of my enhanced body. “Your brother made the same mistake you’re making now. Underestimating me.”
Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “I assure you, I’m nothing like my brothers.”
This time he attacked with purpose, striking multiple points with precision and power that far exceeded Conrad’s efforts. Each blow would have crippled an ordinary man,
176 Chapter 176 – The Dragon’s Challenge, The Knight’s Unbreakable Resolve
but I felt only mild pressure as I activated my Saintly Body Skill, channeling energy through my meridians to create an impenetrable defense.
Tristan’s expression hardened as he stepped back, reassessing. “What manner of technique is this? No Foundation Building cultivator should withstand such attacks:
“Perhaps your family’s understanding of cultivation is more limited than you believe, I replied.
Fury flashed in his eyes. “The Thornton family has produced champions for
technique has broken mountains!”
generations. Our Drag verl
He gathered his energy, the air around him vibrating with power. I could feel his cultivation surge–he was indeed far stronger than Conrad, perhaps even stronger than Killian Moreau had been.
“Divine Dragon Fist!” he roared, his arm becoming engulfed in blazing energy shaped like a dragon’s maw.
When his fist connected with my chest, the impact sent a shockwave through the street. Windows rattled and dust rose from the ground. For the first time, I felt genuine force behind the blow–enough that I had to channel significant energy to
resist it.
Yet I remained standing, unmoved.
Tristan stared at me in disbelief, sweat beading on his forehead. “Impossible. That technique was passed down from my ancestor who was a Martial Marquis.”
I caught his wrist as he tried to step away. “My turn.”
With a simple movement, I executed the Dragon Capturing Hand technique I’d refined through countless hours of practice. My fingers locked around his wrist with precision that targeted his meridians and pressure points simultaneously.
Tristan’s face contorted with shock and pain. He tried to pull away, but my grip was unbreakable.
“Release me!” he demanded, his voice wavering between command and di
Lief.
“You sought this confrontation,” I reminded him. “Now you face the consequences of challenging someone you don’t understand.”
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176 Chapter 176 – The Dragon’s Challenge, The Knight’s Unbreakable Resolve
Tristan’s eyes blazed with humiliation. “You’re nothing but a fraud! Some trickster who’s found a way to fake strength!”
His accusation struck a nerve. After years of being underestimated and dismissed, I’d earned every ounce of my power through suffering and determination.
“A fraud?” I released his everything you have.”
wrist and stepped back. “Then hit me again. Give me
Tristan massaged his wrist, fury and uncertainty warring in his expression. Then, with a roar that seemed to shake the very air, he unleashed his full strength. His attacks came in a blur–punches, kicks, and energy strikes that demonstrated why the Thorntons were feared throughout Veridia City.
I stood motionless, absorbing each impact without flinching.
When he finally stopped, breathing heavily, I hadn’t moved an inch.
“Are you finished?” I asked quietly.
“What are you?” Tristan whispered, genuine fear creeping into his voice.
I didn’t answer directly. Instead, I gathered my spiritual power, focusing it into my right fist. I didn’t need fancy techniques or ancestral moves–just pure, concentrated
force.
“This is what real strength feels like,” I said.
My punch connected with Tristan’s chest with devastating precision. I held back enough to avoid killing him, but the impact still lifted him off his feet and sent him crashing into a nearby wall. The sound of breaking bone echoed as his arm twisted unnaturally beneath him.
He slumped to the ground, unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth.
I turned to find Miles Thornton standing a few yards away, his injured knee now in a brace, his face drained of color. He had arrived just in time to witness his eldest brother’s defeat.
“Take him to a doctor,” I instructed calmly. “His arm is broken, and he may nave internal injuries.”
Miles nodded frantically, too terrified to speak. Men who had accompanied him rushed
3/5
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176 Chapter 176 – The Dragon’s Challenge. The Knight’s Unbreakable Resolve
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forward to tend to Tristan’s unconscious form.
“Tell your family this ends now,” I added as I walked past Miles. “Or next time, I won’t be so merciful.”
I left without looking back, aware that I’d just altered the power dynamics of Veridia City irrevocably. The Thornton family’s reputation for invincibility had crumbled–first Miles, then Conrad, and now Tristan himself, their champion.
Across town, in a secluded courtyard of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, William Vance paced nervously while Alistair Northwood and Elder Harding sat in tense silence.
“He shouldn’t have gone alone,” William muttered. “The Thorntons are vindictive. First that incident with Miles, then Conrad… they won’t let it rest.”
Elder Harding sipped his tea with forced calm. “Liam has demonstrated remarkable growth. Perhaps we underestimate him.”
“Growth is one thing,” Alistair countered. “But facing the Thornton family’s wrath is another entirely. They have connections throughout Veridia City. If they decide to move against him openly…”
William stopped pacing suddenly, his expression grave. “Has anyone heard from Liam since this morning?”
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Alistair cleared his throat awkwardly. “I just received news that Tristan Thornton went to find Liam Knight… Most importantly, Tristan Thornton is an Inner Strength Greatmaster, his strength is beyond Killian Moreau’s!”
